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fortiscor2023-03-21 01:26 pm
fortiscormod) wrote in fortiscor2023-03-21 01:26 pm
Entry tags:
- #tdm,
- bleach: aizen sousuke,
- bleach: grimmjow jaegerjaquez,
- bleach: ichigo kurosaki,
- bleach: orihime inoue,
- final fantasy vii: aerith gainsborough,
- final fantasy vii: angeal hewley,
- final fantasy vii: reno,
- final fantasy vii: rude,
- final fantasy vii: sephiroth,
- gundam wing: chang wufei,
- gundam wing: duo maxwell,
- heaven official's blessing: xie lian
TDM #1
"Well, good morning, Sleepy Head,"
The voice was sweet and pleasant on the ears. You open your eyes to find a smiling face looking down at you. A face that looks human enough. Two eyes, a nose and a mouth, all in the right places. But something feels off about it...
"We've been waiting for you to wake. It's about time!" The nurse, for now that she's moved away you realise that she is indeed dressed how you would imagine a nurse would be dressed, continues to talk and fuss about the room. In doing this, she explains:
❝You've been asleep for such a long time! Several years ago there was an Event that caused many people to fall into deep, deep sleeps. Some woke within days or weeks of their fall, but there were some, like yourself, who have been asleep for so much longer. It's hard to tell just how long you have slept, and I fear the world you remember is very different now, but we are here to help you through your transition from Dream World to the Waking World.❞The nurse leaves and you are left alone. You will find that even though you have been in a coma for years, you are as physically fit as you remember. Any injuries you believed you had are gone now, as if they were never there. At the foot of the bed are clothes and any items you own. Take them. Go. The urge will take you. Once you leave, you will find you can not enter the hospital again, nor can you quite remember how you got out in the first place. All you can remember is the strangely haunting nurse and her words...
Welcome to Williamsburg!
The town before you is a hodgepodge of colour and style. No two houses are exactly the same. Some made of wood, or brick or even strange metals. Some are no more than holes in the ground. But all are warm and welcoming inside and not many are inhabited.
In fact you'll find that the town itself isn't that populated at all. The busiest place is Main Street. Here you will find all the shops you need.
● [The Nowhere Inn] is the local watering hole where you can come and share a drink with a friend. Or, if just passing through, spend the night. Here you will be greeted by Bert, the owner and bartender. A seven foot tall bear of a man with a magnificent beard and a loud, booming voice! And a desire to one day create a cocktail that will take the world by storm. It's just a shame that not all of his little experiments hit the mark... Newcomers to the town will be offered a drink on the house. Choose wisely, as some of these drinks can often come with side effects, both good and bad.
✦ Apricot Smash: A refreshing glass of fruit squash. Made from the concentrated juice of a sour and sweet type of apricot, this is a simple and thirst quenching kind of drink. If asked nicely, this can also be made into a slushie! Anyone who tries this deliciously fruity drink will find themselves enjoying a chance to dance and/or sing at any given opportunity. (Side effect: It can cause insomnia.)
✦ Lemongrass Twilight: Made from spicy and sour lemongrass syrup, this mildly alcoholic drink is served in a tall glass with round, purple coloured balls of ice. The drink is a swirling green, yellow and purple colour. Those who try this drink will find themselves feeling very mellow and warm and more inclined to feelings of affection. (Side effect: It can cause headaches.)
✦ Mint Blast: Pale blue-green with light swirls and served in a wine glass. The drink is heavy on the mint and light on the alcohol, with even a little sprig of it resting on the rim of the glass. Drinking this will leave you feeling a chilled and shivery. A nice cuddle should soothe those chills away. (Side effect: It causes sleepiness in the drinker.)
✦ Blue Smooch: This drink is a deep blue with white, creamy foam atop. The drink smells like chocolate and tastes wonderful. It leaves the drinker feeling happy and optimistic, almost childlike. (Side effect: It is rumoured to cause truthfulness in the drinker.)
✦ Burning Wine: Pale gold with yellow-orange swirls, this mulled wine is served in a clear glass mug and tastes like cinnamon and oranges, with a hint of chili. It has a nice, warming burn as it goes down. This drink will put a fire in your belly and keep you toasty and warm through the cold nights. It may also make drinkers a little more amorous than usual. (Side effect: It can sometimes cause tingling and numbness in the extremities.)
✦ Frosted Starlight: Sapphire with silver flecks and glittering sugar around the rim of the glass. This is an intoxicating alcoholic drink that is only served in the evening and at night. The drink itself smells like coconut yet there is no coconut within the drink. The taste is almost floral, with a slight hint of grape. Those who have tried this drink often find themselves with the brief ability to touch another and see their surface thoughts. (Side effect: It can cause blackouts.)
● [Sugar ‘n Spice Café] is a peculiar place. From the outside it looks like any other store front, but as you enter and the little bell tinkles, you will find the interior to be bright and open. Warm colours and bright lighting, and from somewhere soft music is always playing. A very modern sort of café selling a wide selection of handmade sweets and pastries as well as an espresso machine.
For the next month, if you come in for a hot drink you can have your choice of their specially made, homemade cheesecake free of charge. Subject to availability, of course.
✦ Roasted strawberries and cream cheesecake: Made with a chocolate biscuit base, sumptuous strawberries and homemade cream.
✦ Coconut cheesecake with lime and passionfruit sauce: This zesty citrus cheesecake has a buttery base, creamy coconut filling and fruity lime and passionfruit sauce.
✦ Triple choc upside-down cheesecake: The name may say upside-down, but this cake looks right side up to us! Juicy raspberries give it a fresh bite and for the chocoholics - oozing sauce.
✦ Gingernut cheesecake tart with sticky maple pears: A creamy cheesecake with high visual impact for that special dessert finale to your dinner party.
● For those looking to add a little something extra to their wardrobe, they'd be best heading to [Dreams Come True Boutique]. For the month of April the clothing store will be offering all new arrivals free vouchers for up to three new outfits of their choosing. Within reason, of course. But most all of the clothes here are decently priced with an odd array of fashions from the very old fashioned to near futuristic.
● [Linlae Botanical Gardens] resides not far from Main Street. Part of the gardens are covered, housed within a large green house, but most of the gardens are outside and easily accessed. There is much to see here, from the [Hedgemaze] with the secret gazebo at it's centre, [Hanging Gardens] and the weeping willows reaching into the waters of a large koi pond. If you're lucky you might see a large white carp, said to be 2,000 years old by the name of Etherus. Who knows how long he'd lived in that pond, but they say if you catch sight of him it's a sign of good luck. And if you manage to see him during a full moon, he may grant you a wish.
There are benches all over, places to sit and take in the peace. But don't expect much quiet, the twittering of birds is a near constant companion within these gardens.
● [A Home]. As you explore you will realise that you're going to need somewhere to stay the night. Of course you could always go to The Nowhere Inn and wait until morning, or you could just... open a door.
87% of the houses within the town of Williamsburg is vacant, and well maintained, for many years. These houses wait for someone to come and bring life into them. Inside your pocket you will find a key. If your key doesn't fit the lock, that house is occupied, so find another. When you finally open a door, you'll notice that the key has changed subtly. That key is now unique and can be used only for this house. It is yours.
Some houses come fully furnished, some might need some work. You might even be surprised to find that the house is one that looks vaguely familiar...
● [The Nowhere Inn] is the local watering hole where you can come and share a drink with a friend. Or, if just passing through, spend the night. Here you will be greeted by Bert, the owner and bartender. A seven foot tall bear of a man with a magnificent beard and a loud, booming voice! And a desire to one day create a cocktail that will take the world by storm. It's just a shame that not all of his little experiments hit the mark... Newcomers to the town will be offered a drink on the house. Choose wisely, as some of these drinks can often come with side effects, both good and bad.
✦ Apricot Smash: A refreshing glass of fruit squash. Made from the concentrated juice of a sour and sweet type of apricot, this is a simple and thirst quenching kind of drink. If asked nicely, this can also be made into a slushie! Anyone who tries this deliciously fruity drink will find themselves enjoying a chance to dance and/or sing at any given opportunity. (Side effect: It can cause insomnia.)
✦ Lemongrass Twilight: Made from spicy and sour lemongrass syrup, this mildly alcoholic drink is served in a tall glass with round, purple coloured balls of ice. The drink is a swirling green, yellow and purple colour. Those who try this drink will find themselves feeling very mellow and warm and more inclined to feelings of affection. (Side effect: It can cause headaches.)
✦ Mint Blast: Pale blue-green with light swirls and served in a wine glass. The drink is heavy on the mint and light on the alcohol, with even a little sprig of it resting on the rim of the glass. Drinking this will leave you feeling a chilled and shivery. A nice cuddle should soothe those chills away. (Side effect: It causes sleepiness in the drinker.)
✦ Blue Smooch: This drink is a deep blue with white, creamy foam atop. The drink smells like chocolate and tastes wonderful. It leaves the drinker feeling happy and optimistic, almost childlike. (Side effect: It is rumoured to cause truthfulness in the drinker.)
✦ Burning Wine: Pale gold with yellow-orange swirls, this mulled wine is served in a clear glass mug and tastes like cinnamon and oranges, with a hint of chili. It has a nice, warming burn as it goes down. This drink will put a fire in your belly and keep you toasty and warm through the cold nights. It may also make drinkers a little more amorous than usual. (Side effect: It can sometimes cause tingling and numbness in the extremities.)
✦ Frosted Starlight: Sapphire with silver flecks and glittering sugar around the rim of the glass. This is an intoxicating alcoholic drink that is only served in the evening and at night. The drink itself smells like coconut yet there is no coconut within the drink. The taste is almost floral, with a slight hint of grape. Those who have tried this drink often find themselves with the brief ability to touch another and see their surface thoughts. (Side effect: It can cause blackouts.)
● [Sugar ‘n Spice Café] is a peculiar place. From the outside it looks like any other store front, but as you enter and the little bell tinkles, you will find the interior to be bright and open. Warm colours and bright lighting, and from somewhere soft music is always playing. A very modern sort of café selling a wide selection of handmade sweets and pastries as well as an espresso machine.
For the next month, if you come in for a hot drink you can have your choice of their specially made, homemade cheesecake free of charge. Subject to availability, of course.
✦ Roasted strawberries and cream cheesecake: Made with a chocolate biscuit base, sumptuous strawberries and homemade cream.
✦ Coconut cheesecake with lime and passionfruit sauce: This zesty citrus cheesecake has a buttery base, creamy coconut filling and fruity lime and passionfruit sauce.
✦ Triple choc upside-down cheesecake: The name may say upside-down, but this cake looks right side up to us! Juicy raspberries give it a fresh bite and for the chocoholics - oozing sauce.
✦ Gingernut cheesecake tart with sticky maple pears: A creamy cheesecake with high visual impact for that special dessert finale to your dinner party.
● For those looking to add a little something extra to their wardrobe, they'd be best heading to [Dreams Come True Boutique]. For the month of April the clothing store will be offering all new arrivals free vouchers for up to three new outfits of their choosing. Within reason, of course. But most all of the clothes here are decently priced with an odd array of fashions from the very old fashioned to near futuristic.
● [Linlae Botanical Gardens] resides not far from Main Street. Part of the gardens are covered, housed within a large green house, but most of the gardens are outside and easily accessed. There is much to see here, from the [Hedgemaze] with the secret gazebo at it's centre, [Hanging Gardens] and the weeping willows reaching into the waters of a large koi pond. If you're lucky you might see a large white carp, said to be 2,000 years old by the name of Etherus. Who knows how long he'd lived in that pond, but they say if you catch sight of him it's a sign of good luck. And if you manage to see him during a full moon, he may grant you a wish.
There are benches all over, places to sit and take in the peace. But don't expect much quiet, the twittering of birds is a near constant companion within these gardens.
● [A Home]. As you explore you will realise that you're going to need somewhere to stay the night. Of course you could always go to The Nowhere Inn and wait until morning, or you could just... open a door.
87% of the houses within the town of Williamsburg is vacant, and well maintained, for many years. These houses wait for someone to come and bring life into them. Inside your pocket you will find a key. If your key doesn't fit the lock, that house is occupied, so find another. When you finally open a door, you'll notice that the key has changed subtly. That key is now unique and can be used only for this house. It is yours.
Some houses come fully furnished, some might need some work. You might even be surprised to find that the house is one that looks vaguely familiar...
A Familiar View
It may have been immediate or it may take days for you to notice, but when you do...
The memories of your Dream World are coming back to you. It doesn't feel much like a dream at all. Those things that happened, those feelings you had, all seemed so real!
And then you find it.
It could be something as simple as a book, or as large as a building. You know this thing. This thing has been pulled directly from your memories, whether those memories are good or bad is entirely up to you. But there it is, as large as life, right in front of your eyes. What does this mean? Which world is real and which isn't? How did these things from that other world make it into this?
This is your chance to explore this new addition to Williamsburg. Maybe you will find the answers you seek? Or maybe you will be left with more questions. Just know that you aren't alone. It seems that almost everything in this world was pulled from another, brought here by 'others', and left here.
Maybe this new landmark, or item, leaves you with a warm feeling and questions are the last thing on your mind? Perhaps you would like to share with your friends, or even a perfect stranger, the joy that this thing brings you? Tell them your story. Share with them it's the history. Or maybe the feelings attached are feelings of anger, of horror and fear? Misery does love company, so don't go through with this trip down memory lane alone.
The memories of your Dream World are coming back to you. It doesn't feel much like a dream at all. Those things that happened, those feelings you had, all seemed so real!
And then you find it.
It could be something as simple as a book, or as large as a building. You know this thing. This thing has been pulled directly from your memories, whether those memories are good or bad is entirely up to you. But there it is, as large as life, right in front of your eyes. What does this mean? Which world is real and which isn't? How did these things from that other world make it into this?
This is your chance to explore this new addition to Williamsburg. Maybe you will find the answers you seek? Or maybe you will be left with more questions. Just know that you aren't alone. It seems that almost everything in this world was pulled from another, brought here by 'others', and left here.
Maybe this new landmark, or item, leaves you with a warm feeling and questions are the last thing on your mind? Perhaps you would like to share with your friends, or even a perfect stranger, the joy that this thing brings you? Tell them your story. Share with them it's the history. Or maybe the feelings attached are feelings of anger, of horror and fear? Misery does love company, so don't go through with this trip down memory lane alone.
Down the Rabbit Hole
You are stuck in The Corridor now.
And you appear to be alone. Or are you? As the buildings creak in protest you seem to hear footsteps. Is that a fellow waylaid traveler?
Before you can determine the direction of the sounds, one thing becomes clear to you: these homes and businesses, all that brick and mortar, seem to be closing in on you…
It is a gradual squeeze but you can tell that if you don’t get out of there you’ll eventually be crushed. As you explore this place where time and gravity seem to have lost all meaning and your senses may even betray you, you search for a way out or an end to this madness and that is when you finally realize that the buildings are taking shape according to your will. The more you panic, the more claustrophobic and chaotic things become. But if you remain calm and focus your attention you find you can tame the buildings back into their original shapes and places. Of course, it helps if you have a partner.
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Aizen smiled to himself and used shunpo to appear immediately by her side. Of course, this caused the buildings to almost rear back and away from his presence. ]
Allow me to be more firm in rescuing you this time.
[ Aizen extended his hand and waited for her to take it. He could have easily broken through her barrier but he was not there to inspire fear. ]
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Orihime looked left and right, then straight up. She could try and go through the buildings. There was a window there. She could jump through and try and get to the other side. It wouldn't be easy with the world on its side but it was an option...
And then Aizen was at her elbow again and this time she shot him a dirty look.]
You're rescuing me...? How do I know this isn't your doing?
[Why would he be rescuing her in the first place? Wouldn't he be happier if he could just watch her be squashed like a bug?]
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[ The hand remained where it was, firm and unyielding. ]
The question you should be asking yourself is why would I bother with this?
[ Aizen's expression was...indulgent. ]
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Orihime didn't think she was really that stupid...
But she also recognised that she was going to need help. And there was no one else around to offer it.
She glanced away, torn by her choices and upset by the fact that she really didn't have any.
Without looking she threw out her hand and grabbed Aizen's.]
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Shall we?
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The nicer he was, the more she felt like she should be running away. Orihime didn't know what he could want from her...
She nodded and let him lead her, knowing she didn't have a choice in the matter.]
Alright...
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What is the last thing you remember before coming here?
[ He asked because she seemed so affected by him. ]
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She just wished he'd give up the pretense and act the part. All the mind games and manipulation, she hated it.]
My friends rescuing me from you...
[That was the last thing she remembered that he would know of. Her last actual memory was of just going to sleep in her own bed after visiting Ichigo. Ichigo had yet to wake up at that time.]
... You were being sentenced for your crimes.
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[ If that affects Aizen in any way, he doesn't show it. ]
You will find, Orihime Inoue, that time works differently here. Or, shall we say, this place is somewhere beyond our conception of time.
[ What he's alluding to is obvious to him with the way the world is bending around them and the fact that time and space are intrinsically linked but Aizen waits to see if there will be questions. ]
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She glanced at him for a second, but quickly looks away and to the ground to make sure that she's not about to trip over anything.]
... What does even that mean? Is this world magical in some way?
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[ He steers them around a particularly stubborn piece of sidewalk that is unwilling to bend back down even for him. ]
What I do know is that was a long time ago for me.
[ Aizen waits for the implications of that to sink in. ]
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She looked up at him then, trying to wrap her mind around that...
A lot had happened lately. She knew there were places that time ran differently than others. Was this one of those places?
... Just how long had it been, though? Could that be why Aizen was acting the way he was or... was this further manipulation? Orihime had no idea. It was the not knowing that was making her sick with worry.]
How long is long...?
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Years.
[ Aizen could take this opportunity to gaslight the girl but that is not his objective at the moment nor would it serve his larger goals. ]
Mm. A year and a half or more at home. More than three here. I wonder if you've spoken to Ichigo yet.
[ She obviously hasn't. Aizen did this to insert his familiarity with him. ]
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There was no way she could hide her surprise when he explained just how many years, both home and here.
Had he been on his own all that time...? No, that wasn't important. Orihime shook her head and replied quietly.]
No. I've seen him...
[For a short while in the café. He'd mentioned Aizen was around... had said he was 'different', but Orihime had been quick to change the subject and quicker to disbelieve what she was being told. She didn't have years to come to terms with things so Aizen's atrocities were still fresh in her mind. The things that he had done, to her friends and herself, the things he had wanted to do.]
He mentioned he'd... I just didn't expect to see you myself.
[Lets face it, she had been avoiding him as best she could.]
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[ A small, amused noise leaves him. So much has happened in so little time...
While they've been talking a few reconfigured buildings have dared to erupt in their direct path. Aizen swats them down with the barest flexing of his reiatsu and they crumble into dust. ]
Nevertheless, here we all are and I suspect here we will remain for the time being.
[ It's a subtle opening he's leaving for her to fill with her own request for peace between them. He'd give it anyway but the position of power is to be the one granting the request. ]
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Her gaze flicked up when he made a strange sound, one she never expected to hear from him... But didn't have time to think much about it before he showed off. Orihime said nothing but turned her eyes away to watch the way the buildings moved.
Now that she was somewhat calmer, she had a feeling that she could probably have easily gotten out of this mess all by herself. She still could... But again, she said nothing. Until Aizen spoke again. And then she replied softly.]
We'll see...
[Orihime didn't know about a peace between them. All she knew was that she didn't trust Aizen. How could she?]
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[ Aizen continues guiding them for a little while longer. While he does so things seem to grow calmer and more normal around them and by the time they reach the next corner it seems like a normal street. They've arrived at The Nowhere Inn.
Aizen opens the door for the girl. ]
After you.
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Orihime just didn't know why he was doing this. Where was the ulterior motive? What was he going to get from any of this? None of it made sense.
Ichigo had said...that Aizen was better. Orihime wasn't prepared to believe it but... What if it was true? Should she really hold onto a painful past when everyone else was walking into the future? She just didn't know. For all she knew this was all some convoluted plot to... What? Lull them all into a false sense of security and then kill them all? Orihime wouldn't have put it past Aizen.
But what if the time alone had actually made him a better man?
They walked together around a corner and ahead of them was perfectly normal. When Orihime looked over her shoulder it was normal too. Like nothing had ever happened.
When she turned back Aizen had a door open for her and she looked up at him with a frown. Then looked beyond and into the building...and took a deep breath before she stepped inside, pulling her hand free of his as she did.]
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What would you like?
[ He was talking to the girl but Bert hovered nearby waiting to take both of their orders or just to be helpful in general. He was like that. ]
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I'm not old enough...
[She trailed off with a shake of her head. Did it really matter now?
Slowly she stepped up and slid onto a stool by the bar.]
Just a juice is fine. Thank you.
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According to whose standards?
[ Still, Aizen wouldn't force her and true to that his attention immediately diverted to Bert. ]
Dealer's choice.
[ Whether the girl realized it or not, she was a threat and true to form Aizen was feeling a little dangerous. ]
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She never bothered to reply to Aizen. Her answer was in the fact she'd already sat herself down by the time he was finished asking his question. And that she'd ordered a drink. Sure, it wasn't alcohol, but it was still a drink.
Bert watched the two of them for a moment, looking back and forth until he made his choice. He could have a little fun, couldn't he? After seeing what certain drinks had done to his other patrons, Bert went off and made two drinks for the new girls and Aizen. And with a cheerful smile he set them down upon the counter.
One smelling of sweet lemons in front of Orihime, and the one he set before Aizen was warm and cinnamon scented, with hints of orange. This was, he thought, going to be an interesting little experiment.]
Thank you.
[Not knowing what was going on in the man's head, Orihime was polite as she leaned up and reached for her glass. There was a straw, so she leaned in to take it between her lips to taste the drink. Tart and sour, with something else she didn't quite get... but it was good.]
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Do you like it? [ He paused long enough for Bert to walk away. ] The alcohol?
[ It didn't matter to Aizen that she drink. He was only trying to build trust between them and it seemed to matter to her. ]
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She was getting an increasingly weird feeling about the whole situation. It was unreal. If there was anything that had happened since her 'waking up' that made her feel like her past hadn't existed, it was the near friendly way Aizen was treating her. Like nothing bad had ever happened between them.
It reminded her of what Ichigo had said...
They were free now, weren't they? And they were supposed to enjoy that. Right?
Orihime wasn't sure she knew how. But when Aizen asked a question, she froze a little, straw in her mouth. She blinked. Blinked again. And then released the straw and pulled back to look at the drink suspiciously.]
... Is that what that weird aftertaste is? Its... it's not bad though. Kind of nice? I like the lemon flavour.
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Yes, in the case of mixed drinks. The other flavors disguise it.
[ He moved his glass of wine closer to her. ]
Would you like to try this to compare?
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